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Andrea Mitchell On Susan Rice: 'This Is Not Going To Help Republicans ... A Woman Of Color Has Been Forced Out' (VIDEO)

Andrea Mitchell weighed in on Amb. Susan Rice withdrawing her name from consideration for secretary of state on Thursday, commenting that the decision would "not help Republicans at all."

Rice's consideration for nomination was abruptly interrupted after Republicans continuously attacked the ambassador for her response to the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi.

"If nominated, I am now convinced that the confirmation process would be lengthy, disruptive and costly -- to you and to our most pressing national and international priorities," Rice wrote in a letter to President Obama.

Speaking on MSNBC, Mitchell said:

I think this had become sort of an impossible challenge for her to be confirmed, that she realized that, the White House realized it as well. I think they know they are on good political solid ground, as you were just pointing out. This is not going to help Republicans at all, the fact that a woman and a woman of color has been forced out of a confirmation process even before she was nominated.

Obama released a statement following the announcement. "While I deeply regret the unfair and misleading attacks on Susan Rice in recent weeks, her decision demonstrates the strength of her character, and an admirable commitment to rise above the politics of the moment to put our national interests first," he wrote.